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Tesco tight-lipped on Egremont move

By Alan Irving

Last updated at 12:34, Thursday, 01 March 2012

TESCO could build a new store in Egremont.

Supermarket representatives have been in the town over the last week to explore the potential and The Whitehaven News understands talks have been held with at least two property owners over acquiring land.

An area behind the Main Street is thought to be the preferred option.

Officially, at this stage, Tesco has declined to confirm or deny the interest, but corporate affairs boss Doug Wilson said: “We are always looking to add and improve the Tesco offer in Cumbria.”

Copeland Council leader Elaine Woodburn, an Egremont resident, said yesterday: “I have heard rumours that Tesco are interested in building a store in the town.

“If there is a potential interest by anyone to develop in Egremont that’s something we would very much welcome. The town needs variety, a new store is bound to attract more shoppers, including Sellafield workers and generally increase the footfall.”

There have been concerns in recent years with the closure of several of the town’s shops being blamed on the Egremont by-pass resulting in many people by-passing the main street as a direct route to and from Sellafield.

Asked about the possible effect on other Egremont food stores, Coun Woodburn said: “You can’t stop competition. Bear in mind a lot of Egremont folk do their shopping in the Whitehaven supermarkets, it would be great if a Tesco store in Egremont could reverse the trend.”

Meanwhile, work is starting to smarten up Tesco in Whitehaven – but it won’t affect plans for the £20 million North Shore store expansion.

The store will have reduced hours opening for a £1 million re-fit and facelift.

Mr Wilson said: “Work has started on a refresh to improve and update the current offer to customers. It is part of our ongoing investment in our stores across the UK and during the current work we will be investing over £1million in our store. This work does not alter our plans to bring a new and improved store to Whitehaven.

“Work will take five weeks to complete and will include moving some of our fresh foods to improve the location of the products and additional space for extra choice in our grocery department.”

Tesco still hopes to start building the store next year but plans have been put back around six months.

A planning application has gone in this week to extend bulk storage in the existing service yard on North Shore.